DESCRIPTION OF THE MSN CURRICULUM

The Department of Nursing at the University of West
Georgia offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with role options in either
education or health systems leadership. The Department of Nursing also offers
post masters certification in these areas. The nursing education track is a
program of study that addresses innovations in curriculum, instructional skills
and strategies, the development and use of educational technology, and
educational assessment and evaluation. Students will develop expertise in health
education and promotion, patient education, professional development, or
college/university teaching. The health systems leadership track is a program of
study designed to prepare nurse managers/leaders and clinical nurse leaders (CNL's).
The CNL is a new role designed by the American Association of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN, 2003) to prepare a leader who is accountable for management of
care and the care environment. Courses focus on patient-centered care,
evidence-based practice, pharmacology, case management client-care coordination,
holistic health assessment, care of diverse populations, health policy, health
systems, business and economics, statistics, leadership and management, quality
improvement, risk management, and public/community health.

Courses in the curriculum build upon courses in the
baccalaureate program in nursing. Students apply research concepts, theories,
and skills in the development of the role components of the program. The Master
of Science in Nursing Program is designed to meet the need for nurse educators,
leaders/managers, and CNL's in a variety of health care settings. Students may
complete the course of study in four semesters of full time course work (9
hours/semester), or students may pursue the degree on a part-time basis.

The MSN program is fully accredited by the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Admission
Requirements

2.Completion
of a basic undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or higher prior to
enrollment or during the first semester of the program.

3.Evidence
of current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States and
eligibility for licensure in the state of practica experience.

4.Earned
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited
program.

5.Official
transcript from each college or university attended.

6.Satisfactory
certificate of immunization (for a new student).

7.GPA
of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all upper division nursing courses.

8.Professional
resume.

9.Three
letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable of the
applicantís professional and academic abilities.

Applications for admission are available at the University of West Georgia
Graduate School.
Upon receipt of all application materials by the deadline, and
determination by the Department of Nursing that all admission criteria are met,
including minimum GRE scores and grade point average, the Department of Nursing
will notify selected applicants regarding a personal interview. At the time of
the interview, an on-site writing sample will be requested.

These criteria represent
minimal standards and provide no guarantee of acceptance. Admission to the
Master of Science in Nursing program is competitive and granted by the Graduate
Committee of the Department of Nursing and The University of West Georgia
Graduate School.

Online
Nurse Educator Post-Masterís Certificate Available Summer 2008

A Flexible Program to Meet Your Learning Needs and
Employment Obligations

The MSN Student Handbook is available
for download in Adobe Acrobat format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to
access this document. Please go to adobe.com to
download the
program. The handbook may then be downloaded or read online.

Student advising is available by appointment in the Department of Nursing.